Jacob Anderson, 11, a student at Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria Va., is making his national tour debut in the U.S. National Tour of Matilda The Musical. Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Dodgers, the blockbuster musical named TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year, is on tour in select U.S. cities, now through June 25, 2017. Anderson of Fairfax Station, Va. plays the part of Nigel Hicks in the U.S. National Tour of Matilda the Musical. He’s been studying at MSA since 2014. For more information about the school, go to www.metropolitanarts.org, or view http://us.matildathemusical.com/tour/ for tickets.

“Being part of Matilda the Musical is a dream come true for me, said Jacob Anderson, Metropolitan School of the Arts’ student of Fairfax Station, Va.

Since signing on with an agent last year, Anderson regularly travels to NYC to attend auditions, and secured his role as “Nigel” in the U. S. National Tour of Matilda The Musical this past summer. He also had a recurring role as “Jagger” on the TV show “Donny!” His goal is to be a part of a Broadway show or to act in television or movies.

Anderson began competitive dancing at the age of 4, taking classes in tap, jazz and ballet, earning numerous regional and national titles. He currently takes acting, musical theater and voice lessons at Metropolitan School of the Arts performing arts academy in Alexandria, Va.

“Jacob is a great example of passion, determination and dedication; we’re so proud to support his dream of becoming a performer and we’re excited see him take his talent to the national level,” said Melissa Dobbs, founder and executive director of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va.

ABOUT ROALD DAHL’s U.S. TOUR of MATILDA THE MUSICALWinner of 70 international awards, including the Tony Award ®, and of the biggest hits on Broadway, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Rolling Stone calls the show “hands down the BEST MUSICAL of the season.” Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, MATILDA thrilled sold-out audiences of all ages on Broadway continues to wow in London’s West End. For tickets, go to http://us.matildathemusical.com/tour/.

ABOUT METROPOLITAN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (MSA)Alexandria, Va.-based, Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA), a 501(c)3 organization, is the first Washington, D.C. area, private, secondary performing arts school, founded in 2013 by Melissa Dobbs. The MSA performing arts studios in Alexandria, Va. have taught dance, music and theater to more than 10,000 students since 2001. Noted for its world-class instructors, MSA offers high quality performing arts training in a ground breaking, holistic learning environment that cultivates creativity, builds community and empowers students. The organization was featured in Dance Teacher magazine, FOX 5 Morning News, WUSA9 Great Day Washington, ABC-7 Good Morning Washington, Northern Virginia Magazine, Washington Business Journal, Washington Post Weekend and Washington Families magazine. Many students from MSA studios go on to perform in prestigious arenas including Broadway, National Tours, The Julliard School, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Washington Ballet, The American Academy of Ballet, Universal Ballet Academy, The Kirov Ballet, The Hartt School, Marymount University (New York), Ford’s Theater and Mark Morris Dance Company. MSA offers a performing arts academy, a performing arts studio, a youth tap ensemble, a youth ballet, a jazz company, community theatre program, as well as MetroClub and MetroRide, as part of their arts-focused, after-school program. Call 703.339.0444 or visit www.metropolitanarts.org, Facebook or Twitter.